England stutter at Headingley

England's new-look opening pair fell in identical fashion after a sticky start to the NatWest Series at Headingley.

Both Ian Bell and Matt Prior sliced to point off all-rounder Jacques Kallis as England progressed to 99 for two by the halfway point of their innings.

The hosts were then hit further when Owais Shah was caught as England reached 113 for three.

The openers' dismissals came in consecutive overs from the rugby stand end and ensured that Shah and captain Kevin Pietersen had to provide the innings with impetus from a standing start.

However, Shah made just 12 before he was caught by Vernon Philander close to the boundary. England failed to make full use of the powerplays, as Bell failed to find the boundary during his 69-ball stay.

His most aggressive stroke, in fact, came when he slashed at a Kallis delivery and AB de Villiers pulled down a fine catch above his head.

Prior, who ended a spell of a dozen overs without a boundary by lofting Andre Nel for four, opted for the aerial route again in clearing the boundary at long-on. But in the same over as that maximum, he picked out de Villiers again to fall for 42.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Prior had earlier been reprieved on 23 when Philander inexplicably dropped a checked drive at mid-off in Nel's opening over from the Kirkstall Lane end.